Leather stretching machine



March 1932- G. A. SCHETTLER LEATHER STRETCHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 8, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IO N m unma- March 29, 1932. 3.. SCHETTLER 1,851,020 I LEATHER STRETCHING MACHINE I March 29, 1932. G. A SCHETTLER LEATHER STRETCHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-v-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 8, 1926 March 1932- G. A. SCHETTLER LEATHER STRETCHING MACHINE Filed Sept, 8, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Patented Mar."29, 1932' I W ED] PATIENT we :"l

{GUSTAV A. sonn'r'rrnn, .or'rnnns, ESTGILAND, ASSIGNOR T0 rnnnnn'rannme MACHINERY eomrany, or ron'rmnn, MAINE, A conrona'rron or 'MAINE ;x

Z rnarnnn srnnrcmne MACHINE Application filed s'e 'tmber s, 1926, Serial No. 1s4,191', ana mere-at Britain September 29, 1925.

This invention: relates to apparatuslfor stretching hides, skins and leather and is .illustrated as embodied inian apparatus particularly adapted to thestretching of'buttbends for use.inthe'm-anufacture of leather belting.

' In leatherstretching apparatus a plurality of frames is commonly provided upon which pieces of leather maybe stretchedwhile in Wet or, as it istermed, sammied condition and allowe'd'to remain in stretched condition until they have dried. Subsequently; the dried pieces of leather are removed from the frames and the. frames utilized for other "stretching operations. While it a matter or. considera-' ble importancethat these frames should be of such a construction as to permit the pieces of leather to be readily secured to the frames and removed therefrom, it-is still more important that provision be made for facilietating the stretching of leatherinvarious directions and along a plurality of lines'and that the stretcherlframes should vbe re'adily adjustable to pieces of leather. of various" ":sizes and to stretching'operations along-lines the location of which may be varied during operations. In'the illustratediconstruction the means for stretching the leather ,in distretching operations along other lines.

T 0 these ends and inaccordance with im-" portant features ofthe lnvention means are provided in connection witlistietcher frames forstretching a piece of, leather lndlrections transverse of its length dimension compris- 1ngmembers readily" detachable from and attachable to a stretcher frame and slidable on the frame for adjustmentin directions -toward andirom each other, Whereby pieces of'l'eather of different sizes and contours are quickly secured for. stretching, other-means being provided for stretching operations in directions toward or from either end of the piece o'f leather, that is, in the direction of the length of the pieceiofleather, the construction and arrangement being such that the linesfof transverse stretching. maybe properly accommodated to the leather as it is being-lengthened by longitudinal stretching rections transverse .of its length are embodied in pairs of clamping me1nbers, thelmembers of each pair being freely adjustable in directions toward and from each other, means being PIOVldBd unconnected to the cla'mping :membersr and simultaneously operable FtO move themembers away'from each other to place the: leather under a stretching strain, the. clamping members being alsou freelyi mov'able' on the stretcher frame to adjust themselves toneW locations made necessary by the stretching :of thexpiece, of leather in the lengthwise direction. Conveniently,and

clamping members and are slidableupo'n as illustrated, tubular members support the stretcher bars which serve as parts of the stretcher. frame-designed to put the piece of leather under lengthwise tension. For operating the clamping members on each tubular member there is preferably provided a member having. its opposite ends reversely screw- -threaded and'adapted toengage .correspondingly screw-threaded elements designed. to operate the clamping members simultaneousl-y away from each.- other upon rotation of the screw threaded member. 7 1 XCommon'lythere is provided an overhead runway. or. track for: supporting. a plurality 7 oflstretcher frames, the construction and arrangemen't: being such that :the frames are removed from thetrack or placed thereonby utilizing for the "purpose an openend of the track or asgapinjithe track. -Both=ofthese constructions are obj ectionable forthereason that one or more of the stretcher frames" may escape propercontrol and ride off-an end or :through a gap of'the track. Itis an i-mportant feature'ofthis invention that the. illustrolley or: truck which remains With-the track While theframe is disengaged fromthe trolley tosbe're-engaged therewith after receivinga stretched "piece of leather. .Conveniently-niea'nszis provided'for facilitating this dis-connectionof the stretcher frame from its'trolley." In'the preferredformtof the inventiongthis' meanscomprisesacam .located in predetermined relation magma;

and to a carrier or supporting table for receiving the stretcher frame from the track andfor returning it thereto after a piece of leather has been stretched on the frame.

A further important feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved carrier or supporting table for receiving the stretcher frames successively from the runway or overhead track, positioning the frames with respect to a stretching machine; and returning the frames with pieces of leather stretched thereon to the runway or track. In the most widely used apparatus for the stretching ofleath-er, thecarrier or supporting table is mounted upon a platform, upon which the workers are also obliged to stand, in order that the frames may be removed readily from the overhead runway. Hence the carrier or supporting table cannot be readily shifted nor can it be located at any desired point in the length of the track without adjustment of the platform to the exact height of the runway. To overcome this disadvantage the illustrated carrier or supporting table is constructed and arranged with a movable portion capable of lifting the stretcher frame to various heights to connect it with the track at any desired point, and to lower the stretcher frame from the track and into a horizontal position where the stretched piece of leather may be removed and a new piece of Work inserted. Conveniently the carrier or supporting table is provided with a member positioned to receive the stretcher frame as the latter moves along the track, this member being so supported as to move downwardly after the disconnection of the frame from the track and to serve as a pivot about which the frame turns to horizontal position for the reception of the new piece of work. In the illustrated carrier or supporting table the described frame receiving member is carried by a pair of counterbalanced levers arranged to move in parallelism in raising'and lowering the stretcher frame to connect the stretcher frame with the track or to remove it therefrom, means being also provided under the control of the operator for shifting one of the levers to tilt the stretcher frame thereby completing its disconnection from its associated trolley or to reconnect it with said trolley. In the preferred construction the .meansfor thus moving one of the levers comprises an eccentric mounting for the lever arranged to be controlled by a manuallyoperable lever. Preferably the stretcher frame and the movable levers are locked when the frame has. reachedhorizontal position by means automatically operative for-the pur pose. Conveniently, too, means is provided for unlocking simultaneously both the stretcher frame and the levers so that the frame'may be tilted into vertical'position and the levers operated to raise the frame into position to be connected again with the overhead runway or track.

These and other features of the invention and novel combinations of parts will be described in detail and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a plan of a stretching frame constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through one end .of one of the lateral stretching devices;

Fig. 4 is a cross section of a detail hereinafter particularly referred to; v

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a stretching frame, carrier or support constructed in ac cordance with the invention, in the raised position, and in association with a stretching frame and an improved trolley for suspending said frame from a runway; Fig. 6 is a side elevation; J Fig. 7 is an end elevation as viewed from the right of Fig. 6, of said carrier, or support in the lowered position; Fig. 8 is a plan of the same; I Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one type of stretching machine which may be used in stretching operations; and

Fig. is another view of the apparatus for stretching and drying leather shown in Fig. 5, looking from the right in the latter figure.

Figs. 3 and 4 are drawn to a larger scale than the remaining figures.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3, according to the construction shown therein, the lateral stretching devices of the illustrated stretching frame F comprise tubular bars 1 which are arranged transversely of and have shoes2 to fit upon and slide along the longitudinal stretcher bars 3 of the frame thereby enabling their position to be varied between the end bars or plates 4 and 4a of the frame. Conveniently the bars 3 are of standard channel iron and the shoes 2 are constructed to fit upon the upper limbs of the channels as left hand threads respectively. The ends of the rod are slightly reduced and'have pins 6 therein (although they may be squared or otherwise formed) for application of a handle (not shown) or other instrument by which rotation of the rod can be effected.

For some distance inwards from each of its ends each tubular bar 1 is formed with a slot 7 andslidable over theslotted portion is a clamp member which is engaged by a suitable nut on the screw-threaded end of the rod 5. To this end the nut may consist of a sleeve 8 provided with a lug or projection 9 (Fig.3) which works in the slot 7 in order to prevent rotation of the nut. The nuts are located'on the inside of the clamps andmerely; engage the latter by contact so that the" clamps are freely, floating and readily movable toward and'f-romeach other by hand.

An" important advantage is T that theiscrew threaded'rod 5 with its nuts andthe clamps T two clampsare moved-outwards simultanelatter maybe of the usual form, ing two correspondingly toothed orserrated 4 ously;

Each clamp preferably "consists'of a sleeve 10, see particularly andslide upon the integral with it a serrated or toothed jaw 100 -with which a correspondingly serrated or toothed movable jaw orclamp plate 11 co-' 3 acts to hold the leather. 1

these partsis an eye-bolt12 which is engaged by a nut-13 andwhen the'clampis in-posi-r 1 'tion it slides on the rod -5 andinthe'sloti7 Associated with A compression "spring 14 is interposedbetween the said jaw members a and 11 so as to raise the jaw' 01' plate '11 when the nut is slackened, :The'sleeve 10 is furnished with a-{conical' dowel 15 which extends-into a corresponding hole in the jaw or'plate 11 in order to prevent relative turning-- movement between the two members. Actually the nuts 8 make contact with the eye bolts' 12 tomove the pairofi clampsat the'ends of the rod 5 outwards away from each'other when the rod 5 isturned for stretching the material laterally and to permit are formed with grooves 16 for reception of 'the projections 9." 7 h Clamping devices17 in-each-of two end plates of the frame 'F are also'a'djustable in position. :Heretofore theclampsin oneplate only were so adjustable, the disadvanta gerof this being thaton'e end of the hideihad to, be cut off straight orspaces had to" be cut for the bolts of the clamps. I clamps on both end members adjustable in j position they "of the hide and thereby avoidthe waste caused by cutting thehide to suit the clamps;

can be located to suit the shape As a rule the neck end .ofthehideisnearly straight but some cutting has "usually been necessary toenable this endt'ob'ei properly clamped in-the frame. The endplates 4 and 4a in the improved frame are'ipro vided'with slots 18'and 19, respectively, for-the passage of the'bolts of:the clamp devices-17 which i.'e.,comprisjaws resembling the members 10 and 11 except-in that the lower ja-ws are formedwithout the; sleeve portions essential to the mem 1 bers;10 Theend plate 4 is, of, course, normally movable on the bars 3, and themem' ier 4a is stationary on s'aidbarszmeans employed for rigidly fixmg the said movable end plate 4on 'the stretcher bars 3 "after thefhide has-been] "stretched to the desired "extent? Fig. 3, constructed to fit tubular *bar and having hard wood though any other suitable material maybe utilized for the purpose. Screws 24 are vpassed through holes in the plate andinto,

of this the sleeves 10 a the cramp plates 21 vent "the saddles and cramp plates-from By making the operate with j a Heretofore this has been' eifected byeccentric devices associated with saidfmember and adapted to bind on the frame bars 3. This arrangement was disadvantageous in that when the stretching frame F was disconnected from v the,

stretching machine there was a tendency for the hide to contract until saddle 20 and a plate 21 fitted with friction blocks 2-2 and 23 respectively, which are of corresponding tapped holes in the saddle and the latter is recessed'to receive the end plate 4 and is attached thereto by means of nut and bolt fastenings 25 (Fig. '4), theblocks 22 being correspondingly .counterbored to.

receive the headsof the bolts. LNormally the I cramps are free to slide on the channel members 3 until thehide has been stretched: to

the required extent whereupon the cramps are caused to grip the channel members 3 bymeans of the screws 24. The saddles 20- are constructed so as to overlap the channel members 3 onthe inside and thus constitute guides during movement of the end plate and cramps lengthwise of thestretchingframeF onthe channel members 3, and further are formed withprojections for the reception of screws 26 with which corresponding projections 'on make c'ontactso as to prespreading on the inside under theaction of the screw 24. The end plate is fixedly. at-

tached in any conveni'ent manner to blocks 27suitably fixed onjthe bars'3."'Thesaid i plate abuts-against a shoulder 28 on the blocks 27 and each of the latter has another shoulder 29 thereon which abuts against the end of the corresponding. bar 3 in order to avoidshearing stresses 'on thefastening means; I Referring now to Figs. 5 to 8, the carrier or support which 1 0 Y S for successive stretcherframes '1? comprises apair ofstandards, 30 connected by the rods 31 and having fulcrumed thereon two systems of levers or arms 32and 33 parallel motion. The upper. levers orarins32 are mounted on a spindle 34' suitably supported in the standards and may be connected by a tie rod 35. a The lower levers" or arms may be similarly mounted,

but, for a purpose hereinafter explained, are

preferably freely mounted 'upon'eccentrics 36 fast on a cross'shaft 37'V'fitted rotata-bly in the standards; The uppcrand lower'l'evers or' arms on'opposite 'sides of the carrier or support S are connected by a vertical'supporfi 38 each'of which carries brackets'39 to which a horizontal bar 40 is fixed; Counterweights 41 mounted on arms 42 attached to'the levers 82- are provided substantially to, balance the movable-part of the carrier's whena stretch- 9130 1 :ing frame F issupjported' thereon. Forluse 1n con unctionwiththe carrier orsupport S the stretching frame .F (which for; convenience may be regarded. as that previously described herein) may be fitted with wheels, rollers, clips orother devices which maybe disposed approximately centrally onthe main barsor other partsof theframer For example, grooved wheels 48 ,(see also F igs'. land 2) .may be provided on. thestretcher bars ,3, each wheel being rotatably supported by the adjacent'bar and by. a bearinge-4 l attached .to the bar. P

The improved trolley T hereinbeforereferred to mayconsistof a carriage 4-5 (Fig. 1 fitted with wheels 46 to travel along arunber-is associated with the hook in order to prevent accidental detachment of the frame F during transport. Conveniently the catch consists of a spring controlled-pivoted catch 50 which, when the frame is suspended from the trolley T, engages the upper edge of the plate 4a Fixed on the girder l? above and in a median position with relation to the transverse dimension of the carrienor support S which is to receive the frame F for the stretching operation is a skate cam '51 with which the free end of the catchhO-engages when the trolley T and v a given stretcher frame F come into position over the carrier S... This engagement operates thecatch :to permit the removal of the frame F- from. the

hook 48.

In use, the carriage or support S is situated in front of a stretching machlne shown at 500 in Fig. 9 as of the usual hydraulic type.

When aframe F is being transferred. to..or

removed from the support S, the movable part of the supportoccuples the raised p os1- tion shown in Fig. 5. When. the frame F suspended from the trolley T is brought int sition, the grooved wheels 43- on the .frameYF run on the bar 40. whichis situated at-the right height to receive them and'take the -Weight of the frame.

In order to free the frame F from the hook !;8meansmay be provided whereby, it may betilted to-some extent subsequently to its release by the aforesaid catch 50.- This is the purpose for which the levers, or arms 33am pivoted on the-eccentrics 36. As shown, there is providedin associat on with the eccentrics a horizontal 3-935.

pusher bar, 52 fixed on. the vertical'lsupports .3 8iso:as toeng'ag e thes'trjetcher frame T adjacent to the lower end thereof. when the lat- Qter oce'upiesthe position shown by full lines in Fig. 5; By rotating the eccentrics the effective lengthofthe levers or arms 33 is in- Y creasedso that the-pusherb ar 52 acts upon t'herstretcherframe F and tilts it about the har'lQ-as represented by-dot and dash lines. A hand lever 53 is orovided on the eccentric sha-ft37 for effectingthe rotation of the eccentrics 36,. the operative movement being I iii-the direction-indicated by the arrow in Fig. 51 .Thishand lever is preferablya push @titon one end ofthe eccentric shaft and adjustably; connected to the adjacent eccentric soasi'toienable it to .be fixedin the most conivenient-po'siti'onfor use. To this end said lever. is provided with aslotted segment 54 through which a fastening-55, such as a screw .01 a stud" engaged by a clamping nut (not and-thus support the bar40-and the weight of the-frame thereon, as represented in Fig. '6. The movement of the hand lever in either direction maybejlimited by means of a segment 56 formed with abutments 57 and atit'aehed: to the adjacent standard 30 for. en-

gagement by a lug or projection 58 on the eccentric. The aforesaid movement of the stretching'fra-Ine F and movable part of the carrying structure S maybe effected by hand and when the frame F is in the horizontal position it maybe connected to the stretching machine 500 (Fig. 9) either automatically-or by han'd, The frame-F is prevented from :endwise displacement on the carrier in one direction by-engagement of the bearings i4.- withabutnients 59 Fig. 6) fixed on a transverse bar 60 attached to the brackets 39, and .in the opposite direction bythe engagement of the wheels .43 with the bar 40.

Suitable. means are provided for locking--- eachv successive .frame F onthe carrier or support S, and'further means are furnished for lockingthe lever systems 32, 33 against -moveme-ht during the stretching operation.

F oiwexampl'e, hook levers fil'fulcrumed on the standards SOare provided to engage the channel members 3, said levers being normally held in the locking position by springs 62,. (Fig. -7) interposed between their lower ends and the standards. Asthe frame F assumes the horizontal position on the carrier or support, the channeled stretcher bars 3 engage the bevelled ends ofthe hook levers orvcatches 61 and thus move them outwards, against the action of thesprings 62 until the to their moving means when not engaged with a piece of leather.

5. A frame for use in the stretching of leather comprising end members having means for engaging opposite ends of a piece of leather, clamping members for engaging side edge portions of the piece of leather, members extending transversely of the frame and slidably secured thereto for supporting the clamping members in pairs, the clamping members of each pair being both freely movable toward and from each other upon their supporting member, and means for moving the clamping members of each pair only in directions-away from each other, to eifect stretching of the piece of leather.

6. In a frame for stretching leather, means at opposite ends of the frame for engaging andstretching a piece of leather in a longitudinal direction, clamping members for engaging opposite side edges of the piecev of leather for stretching it in a direction substantially at a right angle to the said direction, supports for the clamping members extending crosswise of the frame and connecting the clamping members inpairs, and a member having reversely screw-threaded ends for engaging with the clamping members to move them simultaneously away from each other upon rotation of the screw-threaded member. r

7 In a frame for stretching pieces of leather, means at each end of the frame for engaging opposite ends of a piece of leather to stretch it in a longitudinal direction, clamping members for engaging the opposite side edges of the piece of leather for stretching it in a transverse direction, members extending crosswise of the frame for connecting the clamping members in pairs, means for mounting the connecting members for sliding movement toward and from opposite ends of the frame, and means for mounting-the clamping members for sliding movement upon their connecting members.

8. A frame for stretching pieces of leather comprising end members having means for engaging opposite end portions of a piece of leather, a pairof bars connecting the end members, clamping members for engaging opposite side edges of the pieces of leather, supporting members for the clamping mem'- bers extending transversely of said bars, means for slidably mountin the supporting members on said bars, means for slidably mounting the clamping members on their supporting members, and means for operating the clamping members in pairs on theirsupporting members to stretch the piece of leather between its side edges;

9. A frame for stretching pieces of leather comprising end 'membersprovided with means for engaging opposite end portions of a piece of leather, a plurality of bars con necting the end members, a plurality of tubular members extending transversely of the bars andconnect-ed thereto for sliding movement thereon, clamping members mounted upon the opposite ends of the tubular members and adapted to engage opposite side edges of the piece of leather, each tubular member having extending therethrou 'h a rod the opposite ends of which are screw threaded in reverse directions, and nut members having interiorly screw-threaded portions for engagement with the screw-threaded portions of the rods so that upon rotation of the rods in one direction the nut members will engage with the clamping members to move them simultaneously in directions away from each other. i

10. A frame for stretching pieces of leather which comprises end pieces having means for engaging opposite end portions of'a piece of leather; clamping members for engaging opposite side edge portions of the piece ofleather, a rod having right and left-handed threaded portlons extendlng transversely of r the frametfor operating the clamping members, and nuts associated respectively with the clamping members and arranged in engagement with the adjacent screw-threaded end of the rod, each nutbeing loose from its associated clamping member so that the clamping members are free for adjustment to suitthe dimensions of the piece of leather on the frame, the construction and arrangement being such thatupon rotation of the screw-threadedmember in one direction the clamping members are simultaneously moved away from each other to apply tension to the piece of leather, while upon rotation of the screw-threaded member in the other direction the clamping members are released from the nuts through withdrawal of the latter so that the clamping members become freely slidable toward and from each other upon, the rod.

11. A frame for stretching a piece of leather comprising end pieces for engaging opposite end portions of a piece of leather, clamp members for engaging opposite lateral edges of the piece of leather, transverse tubular members for connecting the clamping members in pairs,each tubular member being slotted for a considerable distance inwardly from each of its ends, a plurality of bars connecting the end pieces of the frame, shoe members connected to the tubular. members and adapted to engage the bars so that the tubular members may slide in longitudinal directions upon the bars,rods extending through the tubular members and each provided with righ and left-handed screw-threaded port-ions at its opposite ends, and nuts upon the screw-threaded ends of each rod, said nuts having projections adapted to work in the slots in the tubular members and each nut being located on the inner side of a clamp member to engage the Same merely by contact therewith so that 7 a in a vertical direction forengaging upon rotating the rod in one direction the nuts recede from the clamp membersleavmg them'free iLO'SllCiQ in the slots and upon rotation of the rod in the oppositedirection the nutscontact with the clamping members to shovethem away from each other to'apply:

tension to the piece of leather engaged by the clamping mem ers;

12. A frame for stretching pieces of leather comprising end pieces having means :for engaglng opposite end portions of a piece of leather, ,a plurahty of bars for connecting a the end pieces, one of the end pieces being securely attached tothe'bars while the otherendpieceis slidably on the bars in directions toward and from the other end piece, said.

movable end piece being provided ateach end Witha saddle and a cramp plate respectively fitted Wit-h friction blocks for engagement with the bars, and screwspassed through the cramp-plate and into engagement with the saddle plate for tightening thesaddle-"anacramp plates uponthe bar to hold'the end 7 piece in its adjusted position. I V

13. In an apparatus forstretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, a'carrieror supportingtable operable to l ft the frames one at a time toward the runway V or to lower them therefrom, said carrier or supporting table comprising standard and a,

memberpivoted-to the, standardand movable porting a frame so that uponmovement of the member the frame may be lowered or raised v of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames,a carrier or supporting table operable to lift the frames one at a time toward the runway or to lower them therefromysaid carrier or supporting table co-mp-rlslng a. pivoted j member movable about a horizontal ZLXIS' and;

having means connected therewith for engagingandv supporting-a frame so that upon movement of the pivotedmemberthe frame may be lowered or raised, and means for maintaining the pivoted member in vertical position jdurlng up-and-down movements thereof, the supportingmeans for the frame;

being so constructed as topermit the frame to turn thereon as on a pivot whereby the frame may assumeeither a horizontal position with respect to the carrieror supporting table or avertical-positio-n in which it may be again. r p Y 7 toward the runwayfor' to lower them there connectedto the runway.

15. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a' plurality of stretcher-1- frames, at carrier or supporting table operable to lift the frames one. at av-tim'e toward the' 'runwa y or to lowerthemtherefrom, saidcarrier or supporting table comprising a member for supporting a stretchernframe so that upon movement of the member the frame maybe raised or lowered, said'supporting of a stretcher frameduring sidewisel. movement of the frame and'said carrier or sup-1 porting table further comprising means 0pmember being adapted for ready engagement erativeto raise and to lower the stretcher K framesupportmg member, the stretcher frame being rotatable upon its supporting member from a vertical to ahorizontalfpost 7 tion' a a 16.. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for. supporting a plurality of stretcherframes,the combination of a carrier or'supporting-table operable to lift frames Q11Q1t-1 a timetoward'the'runway or" to lower them 1.

therefrom, said carrier. or supporting-l-"table com-prising amember adapted for readyven ga'gement with a stretcher frame to support it during: sidewise movement "of the frame While it is still connected to thei'unway and said carrier or supportingtable further comprisiz'i'g' a pivoted member operative to raise andto lower the stretcher frame supporting member,the stretcher frame'bein'g rotatable uponits-supporting member from a vertical to a horizontal positio-n,'and means for locking the stretcher frame in horizontal 'posi- 17. In an apparatus for stretchingipieces: of leather comprismg an, overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of a ca-rrier'or sup--,

porting table operable to. lift-frames one at time toward thevrunway orto lower them. therefrom, said carrier or su'pportingtable comprising a member'by which a stretcher frame may be readily engaged and supports; ed while it is beingraised or lowered and said carrier or supporting table further comprising a member operative to raise and to lower ,the stretcher frame supporting member,

the stretcher framebeing rotatable upon its supporting member from avertical to a-horir' zontalposition, and' means forlockingtha stretcher frame in horizontalposition andits supporting member in its lowered position? said locking means bein readily, releasable to permit a restoration 'of the a stretcher frame as the runway. V i v 18. In an apparatus-for stretching-pieces] of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality offstretcher frames, the combination of ac-arrieror supporting table operable to lift frames one at time from, said carrier or supporting table: come '5 during sidewise movement of the frame while it is still connected to the runway and said carrier or support further comprising a pivoted member operative to raise and to lower the stretcher frame supporting member, the

stretcher frame being rotatable upon its supporting member from a vertical to a horizontal position, means for locking the stretcher frame in horizontal position and the pivoted member of the carrier in its lowered position, and means for readily releasing the locking means to permit restoration of the stretcher frame to the runway.

19. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of a carrier or supporting table operable to lift frames one at a time toward the runway or to lower them therefrom, said carrier or support comprisa ing a bar disposed horizontally to receive a stretcher frame from the runway, each' stretcher frame having means between its ends for engaging said bar so that the frame may pivot on the bar in moving between hori zontal and vertical positions, and means for supportingv the bar operative also to lift and to lower the bar, said supporting means heingprovided with a counterweight which serves to balance also the weight of the bar and of the stretcher frame while the latter is supported'by the bar.

20. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, a carrier or supporting table operable to' lift the frames one at a time toward the runway or to lower them therefrom, said carrier or supporting table comprising a bar disposed horizontally to receive a stretcher frame from the runway, a vertically disposed member for supporting the bar, and a system of parallel levers for supporting the vertical member, said levers being provided with a counterweight which serves to balance the weight of the vertical member, the levers, and the stretcher frame while the latter is supported by the carrier or supporting table.

21. In an apparatus for stretching pieces ofleather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of means for securing the stretcher frames to the runway, and means for releasing each stretcher frame from the runway prior to removal there from. g V

22. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of means for securing the stretcher frames to the runway, and a cam member at a predetermined pointin the runway for causing release of the stretcher frame from the runway sothat the former may be removed from the latter.

23. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of means for securing the stretcher frames to the runway, and means supported stationarily with respect to the runway for releasing the stretcher frame from the runway.

24. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of a carrier or supporting table operable to lift frames one at a time toward the runway so that they may be connected thereto or to lower them therefrom, said carrier or supporting table-comprising two sets of levers, a vertically disposed member connecting the levers and operating to maintain them inparallelism, said member serving also as a support for a stretcher frame in removing the frame from the runway and in returning it thereto, and means for shifting the vertical member out of its vertical plane, thereby tilting the stretcher frame about a transverse axis, thus disconnectingthe stretcher frame from the runway.

25. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher:

frames, the combination of a carrier or supporting table operable to lift frames one at a time toward the runway so that they may be connected thereto or to lower them therefrom, said carrier or supporting table comprising tWo' sets of levers, a verticallydisposed member connecting the levers and operating to maintain them in parallelism, said member serving also as a support for a stretcher frame in removing the frame from the runway and in returning it thereto, an eccentric mounting for one set of levers, and means for operating the eccentric'to shift the vertical member out of its vertical plane, thereby tilting the stretcher frame about a transverse axis, thus disconnecting the stretcher frame from the runway.

26. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of a carrier or supporting table operable to lift frames one at a time toward the runway so that they may be connected thereto or to lower them therefrom, said carrier or supporting table comprising two sets of levers, a vertically disposed member connecting the levers and operating to maintain them in parallelism, a bar carried by the vertical member to serve as a support for a stretcher frame in. removing the framefrom the runway and in returning it thereto, an eccentric mounting for one setof levers, and a manually operable "of'leather comprising 1m overhead runwa "from wh ih"plurelity-ofStreth'er fran'ies 1 "may-be superidedg the eo'nd'bihation et trolley for 'eatih stretcher frame adapted to conmovemefit theredlong'; said trolley and said. 'S'treteher- "frame havingfinterconneotin'g -'means hyf which the latter is supported 'by.

the rowe e safetyczt-tch for preventing dis-J =c'on'ntion 0 i the frame from the trolley; a v

' carrier or =s u 'perti-ng table "for receiving in succession stretching frames from the run- -Way, a ,tetionary -eam *loozite'dcentrally over 7 ione end otthe{'carrier orsupportingtsvhle and operative to releasethe safety-batch thereby v perm-itt ing' 'tfhe str'e'teher frame'to be detae'hed from the trolley, jsa idcarrier "or supporting); -mble'eompr ismge 1m forreoeiving" and s'tipipoftmg eaeh 'sitr'eteherfframe intur-n, eans for ti'lti n g -the etretcher 'frame' after it "hey received sup ort by the "upportin'gi -ber holding the end piece of the stretcher fr a-me omthahork,n earr ier orsupportmg t-eble for if V I u l H q frames aea'rrl'er; orsupportihgftable for re- I v linovingthe stretcherframes one at time 110 l frames zreeeivi-ng- 'streeessi on stret c'hi from the runway; statlonztry cam located portrng table and fop'erative te release the satiety eztt'eh'gthereby permittingthe' sifieteher I I A v v "Stretcher-frame when the latter is} n T 5 frame zto hejlieta'ehelfrom the h0ok;1-said;o2ir- Tier/or supporting table comprising a betr for stretcher ifretme after it has receiv d? 'tfi ng it to be' lowered fromtheitrolleyf an apparatus for stretching pieces "of leather cemprising a n overhea'cl flrfln -ay ior ripper ting plurality Fol Stretcher frames, the eomhinati-on of a tr'ol'ley for -'e'aeh strether' fra me, sa'ii trolley being movable ieflozn g the runway-find provided With-means for fletao'hablysupporti'hg a stretcher ir'am'e, -a' carrier or supporting table for littingk'a. =sfireteher ime "position tobe enga ged auditor-returning them toj the runwa carrier '01Support:oompriing"stanthtrols Haw-1 the sujpportirrg me ans false for vs q pporting thestretohin'g frameiwhil'e' isheing disengaged from the supporting means fend means'associate'd With' 'theea rrier or supporting table .to cause disengagement ofthe streteher frames trorn 'thetrolley. v 30.31 11 an apparatus" for etretching'jpiecee of leather eomprisirig overhead runwaiy I 1 for supportingfa plurelityfof fsgtretcher fmmes', the 'col nbinetion off at'rollejy for stretcher frame, said trolley being provided 'inge'streteher framqajcarrier or'supportitig "'talole for lifting t stretcher frair'ie into p ojsi-f 30 e #116 engaged by th efiken ii l fi supportirlg the stretcher frame lwhi le it"is being disengaged from the hook means mounted on the carrier ext "(supporting table for "causin the streteher fraxfies' to'fs'ep'ztrete eaehfrdnfitsieilpportifig'hodklL t r In an apparatus. for stre'tchin g'piees of leather 'eomprisingfan ovefheadf'rhfiwty for supportinga" "plurztlityiof stretel'lier Q frames, 'a carrier. "or supportingjtablefor 3 605 ing supporting fsuffaees for the "'sti 'efl fdhr frame vszhenfthe'izrtterisinj a, horizontaljio-i *sitiomepair of"levers'piv'otedte'the st dards, and a vertieally disposed merflbe eori win t em in parallel "relation, me vertixl member serymg ase silpport' for aJ'XYStretchQr'TOO 1 frame While the'latter' is being remoyed from jand returned to "the runway and I ervi n-g also 7 the standarde tosuppo'rt the stretoher ffinhe when in horizontalgposition.

" "82. hi "ah apparatus for "stretohjhg' leather 'q m s n. verhea r t -y V f se pe in a lur t of. r h

anol -for"retlirhing thelh to thertinw'ziyyezijd 'oa-rrrer or' supporting table. comprising etzihtlarc-1s having supporting surfaces for he zontal position, 2; pelr oflev'erspivotefl to 1 7 the s'tandardglandaverticallyflisposedfnremher connected to thef' levers ihsuehewayeswith the uppfor'ting flrfaces oh' thestandhrfis to support the stretcl ier fr's me' when iri' horiv zontal pQ$it1OI1, and meon'son the carrier for preventingendwise movement of theetretc'her frame While it is in horizontal position;

In an a paimme forf "s'tr'et ohig'hfiieees' ofl'ea'ther comprising Em av rhezfl' for-supporting a; plurality-of stretcher" rarfi'es',

the'combination of a carrier or supporting table for removing the stretcher frames one at a time and for returning them to the runway, said carrier or support comprising standards having supporting surfaces for the stretcher frame when the latter is in a horizontal position, a pair of levers pivoted to the standardsand a vertically disposed member connected to the levers in such a way as to maintain them in parallel relation, said vertical member serving as a support for a stretcher frame while the latter is being removed from and returned to the runway and serving also in connection with the supporting surfaces on the standards to support the stretcher frame when in horizontal position,

and means on the carrier for preventing endwise movement of the stretcher frame while it is in horizontal position. v

34. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, thecombination of a carrier or sup porting table for removing the stretcher frames one. at a time, and for returning them to the runway, said carrier or supporting table comprising standards having supporting surfaces for the stretcher frame when the vlatter is in a horizontal position, a pair of while it is in horizontal position. b

35. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of a carrier or supporting table for removing the stretcher frames one at a time and for returning them to. the runway, said carrier or supporting table comprising standards, a pair of levers pivoted to the standards and a vertically disposed'member connected to the levers in such a way as to maintain them in parallel relation, said vertical member serving as a support for a stretcher frame while the latter is being removed from and returned to the runway and also serving in connection with the standards to support. the stretcher frame when in horizontal position, and means for preventing either endwise or lateral movement of the stretcher frame on the supporting table while it is in horizontal position.

36. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an. overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of a carrieror supporting table for removing the stretcher .table comprising standards having support- T ing surfaces for the stretcher frame when the latter is in a horizontal position, a pair of levers pivoted to the standards and a vertically disposed member connectedto the levers in such a way as to maintain them in parallel relation, said vertical member serving as a support for a stretcher frame While the latter is being removed from and returned to the runway and also serving in connection with the supporting surfaces on the 4 8 standards to support the stretcher frame when in horizontal position, and means for locking the stretcher frame to the supporting table while it is in horizontal position.

37. In an apparatus for stretching pieces "-18 of leather: comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combinationof a carrier or supporting table for removing the stretcher frames one at a time and for returning them 3 to the runway, said carrier or supporting table comprising standards having supporting surfaces for the stretcherframe when the latter is in a'horizontal position, a pair vof levers pivoted to the standards and a ver- 8 tically disposed member connected to the leversin such a: way as to maintain them in parallel relation, said vertical member comprising a bar to serve as a support for a stretcher frame while the latter is being removed from and returned to the runway, and also to serve in connection with the supporting surfaces on the standards to support the stretcher frame when'in horizontal position, and means for locking the stretcher frame to the support while it is in horizontal position. i I v 38. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of a carrier or supporting table for removing the stretcher frames one at a time and for returning them .to the runway, said carrier or supportlng table comprising standards having support ing surfaces for :the stretcher frame when the latter is in a horizontal position, a pair of levers pivoted to the standards and a vertically disposed member connected to the levers in such a way as to maintain them in parallel relation, said vertical member serving as a support for a stretcher frame while the latter is being removed from and returned to the runway and also serving in connection with the supporting surfaces on the standards to support the stretcher frame when in horizontal position, means for preventing either endwise or lateral movement of the stretcher frame on the supporting table while the frame is in horizontal position, and means it for locking the levers and the stretcher frame against movement while the stretcher frame is 1n horizontal positlon.

39. In an apparatus for stretching pieces of leather comprising an overhead runway for supporting a plurality of stretcher frames, the combination of a carrier or supporting table for removing the stretcher n cally disposed member connected to the levers in such a way as to maintain them in parallel relation, said vertical member comprising a bar to serve'as a support for a stretcher frame 7 while the latter is being removed fromand returned to the runway and also to serve in connection with the supporting surfaces on i the standards to support the stretcher frame when in horizontal position, and means for locking the levers and the stretcher frameagainst movement while the stretcher frame is in horizontal position. a

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GUSTAV ADOLF SCHETTLER. 

